Former 'Bird Rock Bandit' a no-show in court

A man who pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge four years ago in the notorious Bird Rock Bandit case failed to show up in court Monday to formally answer to misdemeanor domestic violence charges.

Eric House, part of a group known as the Bird Rock Bandits, is shown in January 2010 in San Diego Superior Court when he was sentenced to prison for violating terms of his probation in the killing of surfer Emery Kauanui, 24.

Nelvin C. Cepeda

Eric House, part of a group known as the Bird Rock Bandits, is shown in January 2010 in San Diego Superior Court when he was sentenced to prison for violating terms of his probation in the killing of surfer Emery Kauanui, 24.

Eric House, part of a group known as the Bird Rock Bandits, is shown in January 2010 in San Diego Superior Court when he was sentenced to prison for violating terms of his probation in the killing of surfer Emery Kauanui, 24. (Nelvin C. Cepeda)

Eric House, 25, was arrested in June at his girlfriend’s Pacific Beach apartment after an argument and was booked into jail on $10,000 bail, police and prosecutors said. Later, he posted bond and was given a date to appear for his arraignment.

When he failed to do so Monday, San Diego Superior Court Judge Eugenia Eyherabide issued a $30,000 bench warrant.

House faces charges including misdemeanor battery and violating a protective order. He and a group of friends, who called themselves the "Bird Rock Bandits," had been arrested previously in connection with the 2007 slaying of La Jolla surfer Emery Kauanui.

Kauanui, 24, died at a hospital four days after a street fight involving House and others.

House was among a group of five men, all La Jolla High School graduates, who were charged with murder in connection with Kauanui’s death. Only Seth Cravens, who delivered the fatal punch, went to trial and was convicted of charges including second-degree murder.

He was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.

House, Matthew Yanke and Orlando Osuna pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and served jail time as a condition of probation.

Henri “Hank” Hendricks pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact, and completed two years of probation. His felony conviction was later reduced to a misdemeanor.

In 2010, probation was revoked for House, Yanke and Osuna when they admitted violations including using marijuana and fraternizing with one another.

Judge John Einhorn sentenced the trio to three-year prison terms. House was released and placed on parole in January 2011.